The word wasn’t used in today’s article, but Jen Ferrell is an entrepreneur in the truest sense – she’s started and grown a number of ventures over the years – and I’ve always been so impressed with how she creatively identifies and fills unmet needs in the community while getting to work (really hard, mind you) on things she’s personally passionate about.

It’s an important reminder that we shouldn’t ever limit our image of a successful business person to a white guy in a suit somewhere. When it comes to building something new that reshapes the local economy in gradual but impressive ways, Richmond can and should learn a lot from Jen’s experiences here.

Congratulations to her and to Tom on this next phase of their adventures!

I've run a small business here, volunteered for a variety of local not-for-profits, campaigned for elected office, improved historic buildings and generally spent a lot of time and energy trying to make Richmond a better place.

I hope these thoughts generate discussion and action that improves the community further.